Streptocarpus Polka-Dot Purple

Product Information

These temperature-sensitive plants will do best at daytime temperatures hovering around 21°C and nighttime ones of around 15°C. I grow them as ground covers in large terracotta pots of Camellia azalea at the entrance to our garden room where they charm me every time I walk in. They can take lots and lots of water and rain in summer but prefer to be a little on the dry side through winter. The cuttings should be kept in the same temperature range as stated above as you continue watering such that the soil stays moist. These plants require excellent drainage so also make sure that the container or pot has drainage holes.

Place pots in a propagator or cover with a clear plastic bag, and provide bright but not direct light. Keep at 18°C (65°F) Leaves may start to rot from the lower ends because of excessive watering, wrong type of soil, poor drainage, or any combination of these factors. When the roots start to grow through the drainage holes under the pot start feeding with a high potash fertiliser. The most convenient way is to insert a Dibleys Streptocarpus fertiliser tablet each month.During the summer grow them in a shaded greenhouse, indoors on an East or West windowsill or anywhere that is bright but without strong sunshine - early morning or evening sunlight is weaker and therefore ok. During the winter months keep your plants in as bright a position as possible to prolong growth and the flowering season. Skimmia Pabella Rattan hanging baskets Hebe Quattr. Four colours in one pot. Hebe addenda Viburnum tinus If your Streptocarpus is still wilting after a few days of sitting in moist soil, there could be an issue with its ability to update water. In this case, we recommend to save the specimen by taking leaf cuttings and placing them in water for 24hrs. After this period, discard any still-wilting/floppy leaves as these won't root and will soon die when potted up. For the rest of the leaves that have hardened again, follow our tips on leaf cuttings in the 'Propagation' section below to restart your plant from scratch.

Allow the soil's top third to dry out in between waters, reducing this slightly in the autumn and winter. Over-watering during the dormancy period is a common issue that will result in compost mould and root rot. The names Streptocarpus and Cape Primrose are often used synonymously, though not by botanists. ‘Lola’ I really love the Gesneriad family which includes things like Primulinas, Streptocarpus and Aeschynanthus,” shares Jane Perrone, a Houseplant Expert. Water regularly from March onwards. Plants can be watered from above or below, but don’t allow the pot to sit in water A decade on, the variety was also named the ‘People’s Choice’ for ‘Plant of the Decade’ in this year’s virtual Chelsea awards.Take care not to plant them inan overly large or deepcontainer, as this can deter flowering. Choose one that is only slightly larger than the rootball – see our guide to avoiding overpotting. The maximum pot size is usually 10cm (4in) in diameter, but for very large plants you could use a shallow 12cm (5in) pot or pan In the autumn reduce the amount you water and when the plant stops flowering stop feeding. Keep plants at a minimum of 10C. In March/April gradually start watering more often and commence feeding. Plants should be potted into a slightly larger pot each spring; if possible, use ½ or ¾ depth pots. Put in a propagator or cover with cling film, a clear plastic bag or sheet of glass, to hold in moisture To grow Cape Primrose varieties as houseplants use a soil consisting of potting mix and garden compost with gravel or perlite or both mixed in to facilitate drainage. In their native habitats, Streptocarpus species often grow at the edge of and in forests, and also under the forest canopy where they thrive in shade in humid conditions.